Apple has been a pioneer in the tech industry for over a decade, with the iPhone being its flagship product. However, according to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter at Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up for a significant shift in focus in 2024. While the company will undoubtedly launch the highly anticipated iPhone 16 lineup in the fall, the real star of the show will be Apple’s wearables.
For the past 15 years, the iPhone has been the core of Apple’s business. However, Mark Gurman suggests that 2024 will mark a turning point for the tech giant. Apple is set to launch Vision Pro, a new product category that will take the company beyond the confines of the iPhone.
Vision Pro launch date
Vision Pro, scheduled for an early 2024 release, promises to be a game-changer. This mysterious headset, still shrouded in secrecy, has sparked anticipation among tech enthusiasts. Apple’s retail employees are currently undergoing training in preparation for the launch, which is expected to take place between late January and February. According to Gurman, Vision Pro will not be a repeat of the delayed Apple Watch launch in 2015; instead, it will arrive as promised, marking a new era for Apple.
“Long story short: I absolutely expect a release between the end of January and sometime in February. This isn’t a repeat of the ‘early 2015’ Apple Watch that arrived at the end of April.” – Mark Gurman
Although Apple is still fine-tuning its marketing strategy for Vision Pro, some insiders draw parallels to the Apple Watch’s evolution. The first few generations of the Apple Watch were not perfect, but with the fourth model, the hardware reached its peak, and sales began to soar. Apple hopes for a similar trajectory with Vision Pro.
Major new Apple Watch health features
Gurman emphasizes that future iterations of the Apple Watch will introduce compelling health features that could have a significant impact on sales. Two standout features expected in 2024 are blood pressure measurements and sleep apnea detection. These additions have the potential to revolutionize the wearables market and attract a large customer base.
Moreover, Apple plans to give at least one Apple Watch model a fresh new look. This aesthetic update, combined with the enhanced health features, is likely to entice consumers and breathe new life into the Apple Watch lineup.
AirPods 4
Apple’s AirPods have been a massive success, but with the introduction of AirPods 3, some confusion arose among consumers. The middle-of-the-line model did not resonate as strongly as its predecessors, leaving customers unsure about which AirPods to purchase. To address this issue, Apple is set to launch AirPods 4 with two distinct models. These models will differ in terms of noise cancellation capabilities and integration with Find My, thereby clarifying the options for consumers.
“That’s left consumers confused about which AirPods to buy, and Apple loses revenue each time they opt for the cheaper model.” – Mark Gurman.
In addition to resolving the confusion surrounding AirPods, Apple is also looking to disrupt the hearing aid industry with a new feature that works in conjunction with AirPods. This development has the potential to challenge the multibillion-dollar hearing aid market and further establish Apple as an innovator in the tech and healthcare sectors.
Other Releases
Apple’s premium over-ear headphones, AirPods Max, are set to receive an update in late 2024. This update will include a switch to the widely adopted USB-C port, making it more convenient for users to charge their devices.
As for the next generation of AirPods Pro, Apple has decided to postpone its release until 2025.
What are you most excited to see from Apple in 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments!
